Snow Asia: ski Japan & Korea, trek Nepal
Sharmila Melissa Yogalingam goes in search of cooler climes - hitting the piste in Japan and Korea and trekking in Nepal.
WHY GO Given its reasonable proximity to Singapore, Japan is the perfect place to go skiing in Asia. Hokkaido Island's Niseko and Furano provinces provide the best and most popular mountains to ski, as these towns are renowned for having the smoothest "powder" - freshly fallen, untouched snow - which is a joy to ski on. Both Niseko and Furano are inexpensive mountain resorts and are extremely relaxing, as they're not too crowded - so a family can enjoy a snow holiday in relative peace at a reasonable price.
TO DO With huge powder fields and experienced instructors, both Niseko and Furano provide varying mountain terrains suitable for skiers of all levels of experience and ability. There are steep runs for advanced skiers, as well as smooth, groomed slopes for beginners. Niseko offers steeper terrain, while Furano's slopes are gentler - hence its popularity with families with small children.
Night skiing is a popular activity in Niseko, where the mountains are lit to provide a dramatic backdrop for skiers adventurous enough to try something different, but safe. Ski lifts operate until 9pm, so venturing out at night is easy. Skiing by moonlight is a unique experience all snow lovers should try if they get the chance.
STAY There are numerous hotels and bed and breakfast guesthouses in both Furano and Niseko. In Niseko, you can also find plenty of serviced apartments and lodges. The Hilton Niseko Village (048-1592, Niseko, Higashiyama-onsen, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun. Tel: +81 136 441 111, www.Hilton.com/Niseko-Village) is a popular five-star hotel, while the three-star Niseko Kogen Hotel (204 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta-gun, Tel: +81 136 220 117) offers the best views in the city as it sits high on the mountain top.
In Furano, the New Furano Prince Hotel (Nakagoryo, Furano-shi. Tel: +81 167 221 111, www.princehotels.com) is a four-star hotel with excellent accommodations, while the two and-a-half star Pensione Furanui (13-15, Kitanomine, Furano. Tel: +81 167 222 480 is a European-style lodge with a small hot spring - great for soothing sore muscles.
GETTING THERE Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com) and Japan Airlines (www.jal.com) fly from Singapore to Tokyo or Osaka. Travel on to Hokkaido with Japan Airlines.
WHEN TO GO Winter runs from December to March.
WHY GO Another Asian destination close to Singapore, Korea provides excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities. The town of Muju - most notably the Muju Resort - is the most popular place to ski in South Korea as it has the highest altitude and the longest slope.
TO DO Muju encompasses more than 24,000 metres of slopes, with more than 30 slopes of varying grades and offering a multitude of experiences for skiers of all levels to choose from. Muju also offers night skiing until 10pm and early dawn skiing from 6:30am. So whether you're a dusk or twilight skier, you'll find the mountain open for business! Muju also has a spa and a cross country course, for those who want to either relax or up the adrenalin respectively.
STAY Muju Resort (San 43-15, Samgok-ri, Seolcheon-myeon, Muju-gun. Tel: +82 2 7560 5201/63 322 9000, www.mujuresort.com) is the one and only place to stay as you enjoy the mountain. This resort offers spectacular buffets and exciting entertainment to keep you occupied when you're not on the slopes.
GETTING THERE Muju is a three-hour drive from Incheon near Seoul. Fly with Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com), Asiana Airlines (http://ea.flyasiana.com/Global/EA/en/index) or Korean Air (www.koreanair.com).
WHEN TO GO As with Japan, Korea's winter also runs from December to March.
WHY GO Where else can you find the world's two most famous mountain peaks - Annapurna and Everest. Offering treks of varying degrees of difficulty, Nepal is the perfect destination for both the novice and experienced trekker and allows you to follow the paths of world-renowned mountaineers who've travelled before you, or discover your own path.
TO DO Pokhara - a five-hour drive or 30-minute flight from Kathmandu - provides the best trekking, mostly due to its close proximity to the Annapurna ranges. In the Pokhara valley, you'll find a myriad of treks ranging from one to five days. Some longer treks will take you even further, to Annapurna's base camp. Note: The base camp of Annapurna is more than 4,000 metres above sea level, so you'll need days to acclimatise slowly, as you trek upwards from the Pokhara valley. Such a trek should ideally cover no more than a maximum of 300 metres of altitude a day - and no higher - after the first initial 2,500 metres of ascension, in order to prevent altitude sickness.
STAY Pokhara offers a good range of budget accommodation. Cheaper places include The Sacred Valley Inn (Lakeside, Baidam-6, Pokhara. Tel: +977 61 461 792/464 369, www.sacredvalleyinn.com) and Glacier Hotel (171 Gaurighat, Lakeside, Pokhara. Tel: +977 61 217 22/289 88). If you're after more luxurious digs, try the four-star Shangri-La Village Pokhara (Gharipatan. Tel: +977 61 462 222, www.hotelshangrila.com).
Depending on your tour operator, while on trek you'll likely stay in tents or simple lodging - if available. Be prepared, such places are usually very basic - sometimes with no amenities. Visit www.itreknepal.com, www.nepaltrekkinginfo.com and www.nepaltourism.info for more information.
GETTING THERE Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com) and Thai Airways (www.thaiair.com) fly from Singapore to Kathmandu. From there, fly with Royal Nepal Airlines to Pokhara, or rent a car and driver for the five-hour drive.
WHEN TO GO October to May is the best time to trek - with October and November being the driest months and December and January being the coldest, but still offering mostly dry weather. Spring brings warmer conditions but with slight rainfall from March to May. From June to September Nepal experiences monsoon rains.
Posted Sep 09
